Over the past two years, Arcata High has seen two exceptional athletes, and they both happen to be named Luke. Their years of playing basketball side by side at Arcata were truly exceptional.
Luke Moxon played basketball all four years of his high school career, excelling on every level of the game. In his senior year, he led the team to a near undefeated season followed by a high school division 1 playoff run. His hard work and effort led him to where he is now, playing D1 college basketball at Montana State University.
Luke Lemke has played basketball and football all four years of his high school career. While he excelled in both sports, he ultimately chose football to pursue in college. During his junior year, Lemke led the Arcata High football team to a state championship that they won in an overtime thriller. Currently in his second semester of senior year, he is in Orange County at college football recruiting camps paving his way in hopes of an offer from a D1 program.
Moxon explained that he forged his path by playing whenever he could, especially on travelling teams, so he would be able to get out there and be seen. He believes that his “work ethic outside of designated practice time” was a key factor in receiving his full ride D1 scholarship. While commitment to his sport takes up a significant amount of his time, Moxon realizes that life after college is not going to be easy without a degree. As a result, he is proactively taking classes working towards a degree in addition to playing basketball. This work load can be very stressful at times as he explained that his jam-packed schedule consists of “classes, meetings, workouts, and practice” on a daily basis.
Lemke would pin his success on a variety of factors including his “high work ethic, natural athleticism, and drive to excel and be the best version of himself he can.” He also explained how his family has always been a very strong support in his life, and have helped him through his athletic journey to get where he is today. Through transporting him around from practices and back home, along with showing up to all of his games throughout the years confirm this. His short term goals include obtaining some good film of himself playing at the camps in Orange County with the long term goal of a full ride scholarship offer from a D1 school.
Both of these incredible athletes have very similar advice for student athletes who want to go D1 in the future. They both highlighted the importance of being seen outside of our small community in Humboldt, as well as choosing a path that you know you will be able to excel in. In the advice of Lemke, “figure out what makes you special and become unstoppable.”
